2013

Ann

ual R

epor

t

After the excitement and events of the 100-year anniversary in 2012, this past year was a time to focus on what we do well and to expand our reach to ensure all girls in Northern Illinois have the opportunity to be Girl Scouts. Although we saw a decline in membership across the Council (and indeed, across the nation as a whole), Girl Scouts in Northern Illinois continued to have enriching experiences through the programming of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. They learned to Discover, Connect and Take Action through activities and community service projects which were girl-led, thereby giving the girls the opportunity to learn by doing in a cooperative learning environment.

According to volunteers working with Girl Scout Troops, 87% of Girl Scouts in Northern Illinois completed a community service or Take Action project in the past year. This not only benefits the communities in which the girls live, but improves their own skills and relationships. At our Young Women of Distinction ceremony in June, ten of our most senior Girl Scouts received Girl Scouting’s highest leadership award, the Girl Scout Gold Award. Every Gold Award project makes a difference to the communities where girls live and every recipient agrees that Girl Scouts has helped them become a better team member, work with others to accomplish shared goals and be a leader in activities in and outside of Girl Scouts—all skills that are vital in today’s world.

While participating in Girl Scouts is one of the lowest-cost extracurricular activities, we know that this is a stretch for certain families. Last year we offered memberships, program assistance, scholarships and camperships to more than 1,000 girls. Additionally, Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois understands that girls who are at risk, in crisis, or living in poverty, cannot always benefit from the traditional Troop model. We offered alternative, customized outreach to these girls in low-income situations, such as STEM activities for 7th and 8th Grade girls in the ELL program in Elgin, start-up assistance for Daisy Troops in Freeport, mentoring for teenage girls at the Norman C. Sleezer home in Freeport and healthy living outreach for girls at the Sage YMCA in Crystal Lake.

Incidents of bullying have reached epidemic proportions and, in some cases, have ended in tragedy. GSNI offered the BFF experience (Be a Friend First) to middle schools in Rockford and Elgin, where more than 950 girls participated in eight or more weekly sessions during or after their school day. There was a 48% decrease in negative behaviors among this population following the program.

GSNI also offered programs and activities that build financial literacy and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) skill building. As a result of their participation in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, a majority of parents felt that girls improved on the 5 Skills of business ethics, people skills, money management, decision making and goal setting. Girl Scouts participated in FIRST Lego League Robotics, programs in partnership with Northern Illinois University and Siemens, as well as the Techbridge STEM Programs-in-a-Box.

Parents, girls, educators and child development specialists all agree that appropriate outdoor education leads to positive outcomes for girls. National research has shown that girls who participate in outdoor experiences (water sports, outdoor adventure, animal-related activities, environmental sustainability, arts and crafts in the open) are more likely to seek challenges and solve problems in their everyday life. They are also more likely to enjoy their time in Girl Scouting.

We are thankful for all our volunteers and partners who help us support and develop our girls into young women of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place and to our generous donors, who help us fund these activities. 2014 is a year of building on our accomplishments of last year and tackling challenges with confidence so we can continue to support Girl Scouts in Northern Illinois the best way we can.

Building girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the worl a better place.

Fiona Cummings, CEO Lisa A. Normoyle, Board Chair

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois offers activities for girls in the areas of:

y Financial Literacy

y Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)

y Wellness and Healthy Living

y Environmental and Outdoor Education

y Community Service

Additional information can be found in GSNI’s Impact Report which can be found on our website at www.girlscoutsni.org, under About Us/Publications.

18%

26%

18%

12%

2%

1%

23%

Daisies

Brownies

Juniors

Cadettes

Seniors

Ambassadors

Volunteers

73.9%

10.9%

6.9%

3.7%

2.5%

1.7%

.4%

White

Not Reported

Hispanic

Multiple/Other

African-American

Asian-American

Native American or American Indian

17,084 girls + 5,020 adults = 22,104 total

Total Membership

Council Finances

Income 2013 2012 Contributions $138,972 3% $166,225 2%

United Way 133,027 2% 178,187 2%

Other Public Support 325,616 6% 428,407 5%

Product Programs 3,896,071 73% 4,154,505 49%**

Program Fees 208,345 4% 255,621 3%

Merchandise 261,395 5% 274,642 3%

Core Operating Income Sub-total 4,963,426 5,457,587

Investments 259,609 5% 419,960 4%

Other Non-operating 126,388 2% 2,610,885* 32%

Total Income $5,349,423 100% $8,488,432 100%

Expenses Program Services $4,389,491 77% $4,732,694 79%

Management & General 944,738 17% 810,165 14%

Fundraising 365,045 6% 414,849 7%

Total Expenses $5,699,274 100% $5,957,708 100%

Change in Net Assets ($349,851) $2,530,724

Statement of Activity: For the years ended September 30, 2013, and 2012.

73% Product Program

I N C O M E

3%2%6%

4%5%

5%

2%

� 3% Contributions� 2% United Way� 6% Other Public Support � 73% Product Programs

� 4% Program Fees � 5% Merchandise� 5% Investments� 2% Other Non-operating

* Non-operating income noted in 2012 is resulting from the divestment of a GSNI property.** Product Programs income reflects 76% of total 2012 operating income. Divestment of a property skews year to year comparisons.

Expenses� Program Services� Management & General� Fundraising

77%

6%

17%

Statement of Financial PositionAs of September 30, 2013, and 2012.

Assets 2013 2012Current Assets

Cash and Cash Equivalents $267,858 $244,255

Accounts Receivable, Net 257,548 280,269

Inventories 279,290 323,549

Prepaid Expenses and Deposits 163,651 143,541

Investments 5,321,967 5,040,321

Total Current Assets $6,290,314 $6,031,935

Non-Current Assets

Pledges Receivable, Net 49,178 63,637

Investments 355,865 355,865

Beneficial Interests in Trusts 612,558 603,260

Land, Buildings and Equipment, Net 6,197,844 6,328,414

Total Non-Current Assets $7,215,445 $7,351,176

Total Assets $13,505,759 $13,383,111

Liabilities Accounts Payable $122,063 $91,267

Accrued Liabilities 497,659 455,956

Line of Credit 800,000 400,000

Total Liabilities $1,419,722 $947,223

Net Assets Unrestricted 10,736,824 11,258,391

Temporarily Restricted 571,164 411,559

Permanently Restricted 778,049 765,938

Total Net Assets $12,086,037 $12,435,888

Total Liabilities and Net Assets $13,505,759 $13,383,111

GSNI’s complete audit report and 990 tax filing are available to the public by request or by visiting our website at www.girlscoutsni.org. * Non-operating income noted in 2012 is resulting from the divestment of a GSNI property.** Product Programs income reflects 76% of total 2012 operating income. Divestment of a property skews year to year comparisons.

Juliette Low Society Members

Juliette’s bequest was the beginning of planned giving to Girl Scouts. In her memory, the Juliette Gordon Low Society was established to thank and honor friends of Girl Scouting who choose to make Girl Scouts part of their legacies and a beneficiary of their estate plans. Providing a gift to Girl Scouts in your estate plans can include naming Girl Scouts as beneficiary of a:

Carolyn Allison

Sara Ellen Anderson

Patricia F. Appelhans

Mary Ann A. Beebe

Norma Behrend*

Diane L. Collins

Jane E. Carter

Cheryl Dahl-Kearney

Jody Deery

Carmen Diaz

Beverly D. Dow

Anne Fairchild*

Miriam L. Fleig

Mark Fridly

Joseph V. Gralik, Jr.*

Janice I. Hann

Joyce Harrison

Grant Herman*

Patricia P. Laird

Mary I. Lamp

Virginia Larsen

Kellyn J. Lawrence

Ruth Little

Ruth N. Lunde*

Colleen Magee

Patricia McCullough

Lisa A. Normoyle

Ken and Marsha Opperman

Barbara S. Pagano

Shirley J. Peterson, M.D.*

Gregory Petty

Sue K. Reimer

Peggy G. Richards

Edward Rounds

Willis* and Doris Rowald

Sandra Sabo

Judith Sedlack

Adella Sefrhans

Margaret Simonsen

Susan L. Speroff

June Stott-Kubasiak

Deborah A. Strout

Kathryn Swick

Dana G. Vierck

Jacquelyn Waskiewicz

Catherine A. Wilcox

Fleur Wright

*Deceased

y Will

y Retirement Plan

y Living Trust

y Donor Advised Fund

y Life Insurance Policy

y Charitable Gift Annuity

y Charitable Remainder Trust

y Charitable Lead Trust

y Remainder Gift of Real Estate

y Any other gift that benefits Girl Scouts in the future

Members of the Juliette Gordon Low Society are recognized locally and nationally by Girl Scouts of the USA. If you are interested in discussing planned gift opportunities and becoming a member of the Juliette Gordon Low Society, or if you have already named Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois in a planned gift but do not see your name listed above, please contact Emily at (815) 962-5591, Ext. 7216.

In March of 1912, Juliette Gordon Low gathered just a few girls to begin the Girl Scouts. Juliette’s outstanding leadership was matched by her stewardship when she converted the carriage house of her home into the first Girl Scout national headquarters, and she gifted the property to Girl Scouts in her will.

$25,000 +Grand Victoria Foundation

Kane County Riverboat Grant Fund

United Way of Rock River Valley

$10,000–$24,999Anonymous

Cadence Health

Community Foundation of Northern Illinois

McHenry County Community Foundation

Harold and Marjorie Pratt Memorial Charitable Trust

Woodward Governor Company

$5,000–$9,999Anonymous

EFS Foundation

Fox Valley United Way

Gloyd Family Foundation

Girl Scouts of the USA / Motorola Solutions Foundation

Techbridge

United Way of Lee County

United Way of Boone County

United Way of Whiteside County

$2,500–$4,999BMO Harris Bank, N.A.

Caterpillar, Inc.

Wayne H. and Ruth L. Diehl Trust

Peggy and Jeffery Gale

General Mills Foundation

Hoffer Plastics Corporation

Joseph V. Gralik, Jr. Estate

Kohl’s

Paragon TEC, Inc.

United Way of Greater McHenry County

United Way of Metropolitan Chicago

United Way of Northwest Illinois

Vicki N. Wright

$1,000–$2,499Mark and Carol Ackerman

Anonymous

• Donna and Terry Bausman

Communities in Schools of Aurora, Inc.

Phil and Nancy Costello

D. Showers, Ltd.

Mark Dean

Esser Hayes Insurance Group

• Miriam Fleig

Freeport Community Foundation

The Gummow Group at Stifel Nicolaus

• William and Sally Hoff

• Emily and Greg Keilback

Janet Kjellstrom

• Patricia and Donald Laird

• Virginia and Arnold Larsen

John D. and Jane Leifheit Charitable Foundation

Jack Leist

Tim J. Lund

• Scott and Kelly McCleary

• Betty and Terry Moore

Mulford Dental Group

Lisa and Tim Normoyle

• Linda and Jaxon Oshita

Pamela and Terry Owens

Patriots’ Gateway Community Center

• Robert and Jaye Quimby

• Kathleen and Thomas Ramsay

• Sue Reimer

Rotary Club of Aurora

Edward and Mary Ann Rounds

St. Charles Kiwanis Foundation

George and Frances Schwenkner Charitable Trust

Adella Sefrhans

United Way of Central Kane County

United Way of Ogle County

• Catherine Veal

Jan A. Verhage

• Barbara Vroman

Scott and Virginia Webster Charitable Foundation Trust

• Catherine and Thomas Wilcox

$500–$999• Donna Addy

Alpine Bank

Sara Ellen and James Anderson

Artale Wine

Aurora Illinois Kiwanis Foundation

Steve and Lenore Balogh

Lisa and Douglas Breitsprecker

Robert and Karen Brown

Byron Nuclear Station

Mary Lynn Cerutti

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

Rhonda and Russ Dailing

Dixon Elks Lodge # 779

Kathryn and Kevin Flavin

Geneva Women in Business

Brad and Georgann Gummow

United Technologies Aerospace Corporation

Arlene and Dick Hawks

Robert Jensen

Catherine Johnston

Kenneth Kirschner

John and Sally Koepsell

Madelon and Victor Koerner

Kohl’s

John and Kathleen Kovanda

• Ruth and Tom Little

Cheryl Maggio

McGladrey LLP

John Messley

Natural Healthy Care, Dr. Debbie Karas

Elizabeth K. Papp

Susan and Bill Pasetti

PR Etc., Inc.

Charles Qualls

• Therese Reid

Joyce A. Rice

Rotary Club of Oswego Foundation

Angela Schmidt

Smeja Homestead Foundation

St. Charles Youth Commission

Marlene Thompson

Thomson Community Fund

Kari Toth

Kathy and Albert Velasco

Ventas Charitable Foundation

• Dana G. Vierck

• Nancy M. Voss

Wal-Mart Foundation

David Whitehouse

Whitetails Unlimited, Inc.

Lois Wollney

The following organizations have provided major gifts (valued at more than $1,000) of goods, services, or space to Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois:

y Culver’s y Discovery Center Museum y JMS Consultations, Inc. y McDonald’s y Meijer y Microsoft y Olive Garden y OSF St. Anthony

Medical Center

• These individuals are members of the Girl Scouts Forever Society, which means they have made multi-year pledges to Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois to help secure the future of our organization. If you are interested in joining the Girl Scouts Forever Society, please contact Emily at (815) 962-5591, Ext. 7216.

Margaret Simonsen

Susan L. Speroff

June Stott-Kubasiak

Deborah A. Strout

Kathryn Swick

Dana G. Vierck

Jacquelyn Waskiewicz

Catherine A. Wilcox

Fleur Wright

*Deceased

Elgin Service Center12N124 Coombs Road

Elgin, IL 60124847-741-5521

Freeport Service Center5040 Bus. Rt. 20 West

Freeport, IL 61032 815-235-8777

or 800-925-3327

Girl Scout Express 200 Applebee StreetBarrington, IL 60010

847-620-5043

Rock Falls Service Center229 First Avenue, Suite 1

Rock Falls, IL 61071815-997-5100

Rockford Service Center2820 McFarland Road

Rockford, IL 61107815-962-5591

or 800-242-5591

Sugar Grove Service Center

200 New Bond StreetSugar Grove, IL 60554

630-897-1565

OfficersChair: Lisa Normoyle (Rockford)1st Vice Chair: Scott McCleary (Aurora)2nd Vice Chair: Bobbie Riley (Batavia)Secretary: Donna Bausman (Mt. Carroll)Treasurer: Bob Quimby (Rockton)

Directors-at-Large • Dr. Annette Acevedo (Elgin) • Mark Ackerman (Pecatonica) • Theresa Barreiro (Aurora) • Rosario DeLeon (Aurora) • Christin Giedd (Dixon) • Hon. Gwyn Gulley (Machesney Park) • Sheryl Head (Rockford) • Dr. Sylvia Hood-Washington (Winfield) • John Kovanda (Batavia) • Pamela K. Owens (South Beloit) • Mike Peddle (DeKalb) • Kate Ramsay (Pearl City) • Jean Marie Saidler (Crystal Lake) • Rhonda Sunden (Roscoe) • Patricia Turner (Elgin) • Kathy Velasco (Woodstock) • Cathy Wilcox (Rockford) • Lois Wollney (Barrington)

Associate Directors• Kayla Colwell (Franklin Grove)• Stefany Veldhuizen (Sycamore)• Lindsay Schwartz (Kildeer)

Board Development Committee• Sheryl Head (Rockford)• Susan Angell-Case (Elgin)• Vicky Kohlbacher (Rockford)• John Kovanda (Batavia)• Archie Needam (Aurora)• Kate Ramsay (Pearl City)• Lois Wollney (Barrington) girlscoutsni.org